In Westminster library, families ring in the new year at noon

"New Year's at Noon" at the Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library. For little ones who might be low on energy by the time midnight rolls around, branches of the Carroll County Public Library celebrated at noon on New Year’s Eve, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018.

It may have been the earliest start for a New Year’s Eve party in Westminster as dozens of children and families packed into the activity room at the Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library Monday morning. Baskets filled with markers and crayons sat on tables crowded with little hands coloring activity sheets, parents wore New Year crowns and tiaras and a big screen, tuned to Netflix, stood at the ready.

“OK everyone, we’re going to start our countdown in about three minutes,” called Amy Meyers, a library associate in the branch’s children’s department. This was the fifth New Year’s at Noon for the Westminster branch, she later said in an interview.

“It’s been really good, it’s usually been this type of a turn out. The thought was, they’re not going to stay up ‘til midnight,” Meyers said. “Only three other branches in the system are doing any programming today.”

Kristen Akin, of Taneytown, and her children Luke, 4, and Ellie, 2, certainly appreciated the event.

“This is our first time. The Taneytown library didn’t have one, but we thought we’d come to this one today. It was very fun,” Akin said. “I know they have one in Port Discovery [in Baltimore] but it’s nice that they have one close by.”

Jeffrey Giles, of Westminster, brought his 2-year-old daughter Oakleigh to the library for the event, a first for her.

“We like to get her to interact with the other kids and get her to socialize,” he said. “She loves it, she loves all the activities. She is a people person.”

Like many of the children at the event, Oakleigh may not fully understand what New Year’s Eve is all about, Giles said, but she knows it’s a good time.

“I think she knows it’s a happy event, she understands that,” he said. “She’ll clap and dance — she loves to do that kind of stuff.”

After Meyers gave the three-minute warning, the crowd pressed into cluster at the center of the room beneath two tarpaulins suspend from the ceiling, which together cradled a mass of red, orange, yellow and blue balloons. A countdown began on the screen, the numbers flashing in colorful font, dissolving like fireworks.

“Three, two, one — Happy New Year!” the chant went up, as the clock struck noon. It was perfect timing for Giles, who expected Oakleigh would be well asleep before the true start to 2019.

“Then Mom and Dad and the rest of the family can step back and relax and enjoy the new year too,” he said.

CAPTION

Recruits in the Carroll County Sheriff's Office Training Academy get hands-on training behind the wheel of a police car at the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions Driver Training Facility in Sykesville.

Recruits in the Carroll County Sheriff's Office Training Academy get hands-on training behind the wheel of a police car at the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions Driver Training Facility in Sykesville.

CAPTION

Recruits in the Carroll County Sheriff's Office Training Academy get hands-on training behind the wheel of a police car at the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions Driver Training Facility in Sykesville.

Recruits in the Carroll County Sheriff's Office Training Academy get hands-on training behind the wheel of a police car at the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions Driver Training Facility in Sykesville.

CAPTION

Brian Geraci, Maryland state fire marshal, gives an update after firefighters found a deceased female inside an apartment in the 900 block of Marimich Court in Sykesville Monday morning.

Brian Geraci, Maryland state fire marshal, gives an update after firefighters found a deceased female inside an apartment in the 900 block of Marimich Court in Sykesville Monday morning.

CAPTION

Crews from New Windsor and surrounding fire companies were still working to control a house fire in the 1600 block of Bowersox Road, more than an hour after the blaze began Thursday.

Crews from New Windsor and surrounding fire companies were still working to control a house fire in the 1600 block of Bowersox Road, more than an hour after the blaze began Thursday.

CAPTION

Volunteers from Camden Cares make needed renovation to the Hampstead home of Melissa and Jonathan Meadows Monday, Dec. 3, 2018. Jonathan Meadows, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is a retired sergeant first class of the Army National Guard who was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and PTSD.

Volunteers from Camden Cares make needed renovation to the Hampstead home of Melissa and Jonathan Meadows Monday, Dec. 3, 2018. Jonathan Meadows, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is a retired sergeant first class of the Army National Guard who was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and PTSD.

CAPTION

The town of Hampstead held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Banner Display at Main Street Memorial Park in Hampstead Friday, Nov. 30, 2018.

The town of Hampstead held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Banner Display at Main Street Memorial Park in Hampstead Friday, Nov. 30, 2018.